Dr Tang Yinyao showing the disc which contains millions of synthetic light-seeking nanorobots. (Image Source: The University of Hong Kong)

Researchers have developed the world’s first light-seeking synthetic nanorobot that can help surgeons remove tumours and enable more precise engineering of targeted medications. With size comparable to a blood cell, these tiny robots have the potential to be injected into a patient’s body, the study said.

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The nanorobot, developed by a team of researchers led by Jinyao Tang from the University of Hong Kong, used light as the propelling force.

“Light is a more effective option to communicate between microscopic world and macroscopic world. We can conceive that more complicated instructions can be sent to nanorobots which provide scientists with a new tool to further develop more functions into nanorobot and get us one step closer to daily life applications,” Tang said.

In the study, the researchers demonstrated the unprecedented ability of these light-controlled nanorobots as they are “dancing” or even spell a word under light control.

With a novel nanotree structure, the nanorobots can respond to the light shining on it like moths being drawn to flames, Tang observed, as he described the motions as if “they can ‘see’ the light and drive itself towards it”.

The nanorobots are composed of two common and low-price semiconductor materials: silicon and titanium oxide. During the synthesis, silicon and titanium oxide are shaped into nanowire and then further arranged into a tiny nanotree heterostructure.

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“Although the current nanorobot cannot be used for disease treatment yet, we are working on the next generation nanorobotic system which is more efficient and biocompatible,” Tang noted. The findings are published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.